Madrid-Sana
Real Madrid, of the Spanish first division, announced today the departure of captain Sergio Ramos after 16 years with the team, during which he won 22 titles.
Ramos' 35-year contract with the team expired, and the Spanish newspaper Marca said he had failed to reach an agreement after Real Madrid offered him a one-year contract with a 10% salary cut, which the player refused.
Ramos moved to Real Madrid from Seville in 2005 for 27 million euros at the time, a record for a Spanish defender.
He played 671 games, scored 101 goals, and won the captaincy in 2015 after the departure of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Injuries chased Ramos in his last season with Real Madrid, in which the club came out empty-handed of titles, which led to the decision of Spain coach Luis Enrique to exclude the player from the European Championship squad.
Real said in a statement that it will hold a ceremony tomorrow to honor and farewell Ramos, in the presence and presentation of Florentino Perez, the club's president.